• How to Sell a House As-Is When it Needs Repairs

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    Selling a home when it needs repairs and renovations can be challenging. You have to adjust your price expectations to take into account expenses the buyer will incur after buying the house, or budget to make those renovations before you sell. However, there is a way to sell your house without going through all the repairs yourself; it just takes research and strategy. This blog post will explore how you can still profit while selling an older home that requires work. Keep reading to learn more!

    Give All Details About Repairs Needed

    The first step is to be upfront and honest about the condition of your home. It is essential to provide potential buyers with an accurate picture of what needs to be done, so they can come in knowing exactly what they’re buying. Have a licensed contractor or home inspector inspect the house and create an extensive list of all repairs that need to be done.

    This list can be used when discussing the purchase price and will let buyers know what they’re getting into before they make an offer. You can get rid of clutter and create a more inviting atmosphere, but details about repairs will help buyers to understand what they need to do once the sale is complete.

    Price Accordingly

    You may get a partial market value when you sell a home in as-is condition. That’s why it is crucial to price your home accordingly. Consider the cost of repairs, any improvements you have already made, and how much comparable homes in the area are selling for.

    You should also be aware that buyers might use this list as part of their negotiation strategy, so be prepared to go back and forth.

    Sell to Companies that Buy Houses for Cash

    If you’re looking for a fast sale, selling your home to a company that buys houses for cash can be an excellent option. These companies can offer a fair price without needing costly renovations. You can escape the situation quickly and save money on home rehab expenses. Also, because they offer cash on the spot, you don’t have to wait months for the sale to go through.

    Offer Incentives for Buyers

    Another way to sweeten the pot is by offering incentives to potential buyers willing to take on the repairs themselves. These can include offering lower closing costs or paying a portion of the repair costs upfront. You could also offer an extended escrow period, giving buyers more time to come up with the necessary money for the repairs.

    Prioritize Minor Repairs

    Even if you’re selling as-is, it can still be beneficial for you to make minor repairs that don’t cost much money but can help make the home more appealing to potential buyers. Things like painting the walls or replacing broken light fixtures can go a long way in making your house look great and showing buyers that you care about its condition.

    The goal is to make the house as presentable as possible so buyers can make an informed decision. Carefully go over every detail to ensure it is up to par, and consider getting a professional opinion if you need more clarification.

    Selling a home in as-is condition can be done with the right strategy. Remember to be upfront about necessary repairs and price your home according to its current condition. The key is ensuring potential buyers understand what they’re getting into before committing. With research, patience, and effort, you can get the most out of your home, even in its current condition.

    partnered post • image by Scott Webb & Pexels

  • infographic: repair vs. replace

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    Our friend Adria Saracino at PartSelect recently constructed this useful infographic to help you decide "what to do with your broken appliance – repair or replace" (click the link for the full interactive infographic)?

    I can attest to its usefulness; I recently had a problem with my previously-excellent Kenmore dishwasher. This wonderful device, which has made my life so easy for 3 years now, suddenly decided that it was finished cleaning dishes on the top rack. It deigned – although I worried that this might be temporary – to clean dishes on the bottom, but not the top. After a $120 Sears service call, all was fixed: it was a matter of mineral deposits from hard water clogging up the nozzles, nothing a quick acid treatment couldn't fix.

    However, many times we don't have the luxury of paying $100+ for a service call when a new appliance might be only twice or three times that cost. Who knows how long the fix would last – would it be worth paying a third of the cost of a new appliance for 1 year or service, when for the full price you could have something that would work a minimum of three – and ideally close to a decade?

    This chart can help you answer these questions and more!

  • historic window workshop in Sacramento, CA

    Sacramento’s Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association and the Sacramento Bungalow Heritage Association are fighting a winning battle against cheap, unsightly and – in the long run – inefficient and environmentally damaging vinyl, aluminum and composite windows. Their solution? Fix your old wooden windows before switching over to something that seems like a good deal – but actually isn’t.

    This coming October 6 and 7, they’re offering two workshops on the basic repair, maintenance, weatherization and repair of historic wood windows.

    Volunteer instructors from the community will demonstrate how they worked on their own windows, preserved the character of their historic homes, and saved their pocketbooks!  Historic windows were made to be taken apart and repaired, and with basic guidance, anyone can make their windows work as they originally did – with ease of operation and weather tight – and beautiful!

    We ran a short piece about these workshops and the woman behind them two years ago; again, much thanks to Janice Calpo not only for the heads-up, but more importantly for making Sacramentans aware of the benefits of our old homes’ original windows!